Things to do

Burrill Lakehouse House Rule Number 1 – Relax! But there are a myriad of ways to relax in the area or step it up to whatever your energy level or mood embraces you.

New South Wales south coast is, fortunately, still one of Australia’s lesser known secret holiday destinations. We are Sydney born-and-bred and started coming “down the coast” in the late 60’s so perhaps our opinions reflect our long-term association with the area. The closest main town to Burrill Lake, Ulladulla now has the amenities and services you would expect of a regional centre, as does nearby Batemans Bay. But it’s the little coastal and farming hamlets like Milton and Burrill Lake that we feel still retain the true charm and treasured memories of old style coastal, retro holidays.

To make it easier to organise and plan your stay at the Burrill Lakehouse, here are our personal tips for what to do and where to go in the region.

Locally at Burrill Lake village:

  • Post office and newsagency
  • Well-stocked IGA supermarket
  • Hairdresser.
  • Café Brill: open for breakfast, lunch or light meals and healthy food.

Within walking distance, across the bridge:

  • Burrill Lake’s legendary takeaway seafood shop - The Fish shop (we think among the best in Australia!)
  • Local bottle shop
  • Fishing tackle shop (pop in for your fishing needs)
  • Glass artworks by resident glass artist Mark Dalton. Mark is also a keen surfer and offers Stand Up Paddle board lessons and sales.
  • As you cross the bridge you will see a lake fishing charter boat, which offers well-priced fishing adventures in its stable catamaran hull. Phone number is on the boat, and it is an easy way to see the lake and enjoy the sights of Beautiful Burrill Lake.

Swimming and Beaches:

In walking distance is the river mouth and Burrill Beach (un-patrolled) In high season several beaches are patrolled but check with Mollymook surf club as they service many of the beaches; they are the biggest surf club in the area.

A seemingly limitless range of beaches are within easy drive: (Sure we are biased but these are the local tips):

  • North – Manyana – fun south coast beach known for its surfing
  • Green Island – one of the top surf breaks on the south coast
  • Narrawallee – offers the northern end with a river-mouth and protected in a northerly wind. Whilst South Narrawallee is very protected in southerly winds. It has gently slightly sloping sand and a protected aspect, is well liked by locals and visitors alike.
  • North Mollymook – the headland protects swimmers from northerly winds
  • South Mollymook – it’s ‘the place to be”, a very popular patrolled beach. Offers Mollymook Surf Club, a range of coffee shops and the ever-popular Mollymook Golf Club for good meals and a game of golf
  • Golf Course Reef – popular reef break for surfers, good viewing of some top surfers in action
  • Ulladulla – Harbour Ocean Pool – swim in a seawater pool right near the harbour
  • Olympic Pool - located in Green St, it has a 50mtr heated outdoors and a 25 mtr indoor pool
  • Warden Head Road – The Bombie (Dog Friendly) one of our favourites, has a gentle boardwalk down to a small intimate beach that is great in a northerly with protection from the high cliffs. It’s a short walk to Rennie, another hidden treasure
  • Rennies Beach – Same as “The Bombie”
  • Racecourse Beach – a little more south and more open than other local beaches, but a pleasant walk from a cliff top car park and easy pathway to the rock ledge and the beach
  • Burrill Beach – our local beach. It’s about a 10 – 12 minute walk and like Racecourse it’s a little more open. You can walk literally all the beaches to Ulladulla northwards in around 1 – 5 hours (low tide is best)
  • Burrill River mouth – The river mouth varies in depth from ankle to chest deep and likewise the tide ebb or current is from slight to very strong. It is strongly advised to use extreme caution as you would at any beach. It has a shower and toilet block and car park just metres from the water. Great for a quick cool down or evening fish and chips at the picnic tables
  • Warrio Beach – Going south past a couple of beautiful rocky seaside bays you come to the North Head land of Warrio. Very sheltered in a northerly wind, great surf spot but like a lot of local beaches its isolation means it’s unpatrolled
  • Tabourie beach – the Southern end of the Warrio beach features Tabourie Island and beach. It’s an easy walk from the car park
  • Bawley Point – small intimate beach and nice area for a day visit
  • The Clyde River –shallow crossing – the “old Princes Highway” turn inland at Bawley Point turn off and it’s a good dirt road. Eventually it traces the fresh water end of the Clyde River, down to Shallow Crossing, which is a concrete fjord. Terrific spots for a fresh water dip
  • Merroo Headland – a long tough bush track leads to a very pretty set of headlands, beaches and rock shelves. Very natural and uncluttered
  • Pretty Beach – a part of the national park offers walks with Kangaroos in their home territory

There are loads more, so “go for it” explore the beautiful south coast of NSW

Sight Seeing and Venturing Further:

An amazing range of short to medium drives provide day trips both north and south of Burrill Lake.

The Milton-Ulladulla area has a wide and varied range of opportunities to cater for your needs. There are many cafes and restaurants with local seafood as “the pick” of most menus. The harbour also has a seafood market and Lucky’s Seafood in Deering St, Ulladulla also has a wide selection of fresh seafood.

There is also shopping in the historic village of Milton, a top spot for a shopping stroll. Nowra is only around 50 minutes north with the cute village of Berry only about 35 minutes north. To the south 50 minutes is Batemans Bay, which has a large shopping area, then on to Mogo 20 minutes further south.

Fun Stuff:

The locals say fun on the south coast is what you make of it, so make what you will of these:

  • Watching the time and tide roll by, as the lakehouse is set only a few metres from the shores of Burrill Lake so you can watch the pelicans land directly in front of the house
  • Feeding the local mallard ducks and their ducklings
  • Play sandcastles in the Lakehouse front yard. Our grandkids love making and playing in sand, so hours can pass making your own while staying at ‘home’
  • Keep your eyes alert for baby stingrays in the water out the front!!!
  • Bush Walks – right opposite the house on the other side of the lake, off the Princess Highway is “Lake Rd” it’s a dirt road so park near the highway and the walk takes you for kilometres around the lake Shore line

Kids Activities:

If you want to treat the kids with special events here are a few ideas for those rainy but wonderful south coast “sunshine days”. They say a true test of a relaxed mind is “it’s not about just smiling in the sunshine, but learning to dance in the rain” so, enjoy a wet and windy day looking at the lake or:

  • Rain or shine Ulladulla’s Fun Land is a fun place
  • Bike ride from the lake-house to Lions Park, opposite the shops on the highway
  • Park fun with climbing frames, swings slippery dips
  • Barker Reserve Lake Side park – just 3 doors away at one of the 2 local boat ramps in a quiet little family friendly park – 50 metres away!
  • A children’s play house is lake side and a plastic climbing frame and slippery dip
  • Our mini beach is lakeside and we ship in clean beach sand so it’s fun for kids and adults alike

Recharging your batteries:

Everybody’s different, so maybe the Burrill Lake Check list items are more your style?

Eating out in Ulladulla region:

Food, food, food – within a few minutes to 30 minutes drive is a mind blowing selection from great pizza to fine dining, here are some we like: (there are many more we haven’t tried yet!)

  • The Fish Shop – legendary Aussie fish and chips using local seafood, don’t miss this – call in advance and book, save lots of waiting time – it’s in walking distance but don’t let the food get cold as it’s just on the other side of the Burrill lake bridge. Phone: (02) 4455 1906 | See Location
  • Cupitts Winery - this is a beautiful place to watch the sunset over the lake and vines – great food and hosts
  • Rick Stein’s world famous seafood

We would need a complete newstand alone web site to showcase the fine foods available in Milton, Ulladulla and beyond so take a drive, wander the shops and book in to the ones that take your fancy.

Weather, Info and other local links:

We would like to introduce you to a number of local features and highlights, so please take a look: